0 RESULTS FOUND: TIPS AND TRICKS TO OVERCOME JOB SEARCH STRESS

 GLAM Gets Mindful | Melissa Mertsis

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As I'm sure many of us know, even in normal times the job search process is stressful. Factor in COVID-19, the fact that graduation is a few months away, and the generalized anxiety and stress about the state of the world... it seems basically impossible. But, I have some good news — it is possible, and you can do it! Although job applications are a ton of work, you can take some stress off of your plate by following some of the tips and tricks I've come across in my own job search journey. This list is by no means exhaustive, and I encourage you to capitalize on the tips and tricks that work best for you — anything you can do to make this stressful process easier is a success in my books! Let's get started.

This article, where the image is from, also has some helpful tips about job search stress!

My first tip is to make a LinkedIn account, if you haven't already, and to frequently update it. It is way easier to monitor and update your account regularly than to scramble and try to remember everything you did the past few months at that one time when you need it during the job search. LinkedIn isn't just about job experience — you can also highlight volunteer experiences, internships, and notable projects which are all interesting to potential employers. There's also a section at the bottom where you can describe some of your best skills, similar to a "qualifications" section on a resume, so make sure you are taking advantage of selling your skills in as many ways as possible on LinkedIn — employers will look at your profile, and the more well-rounded you are, the better!


Another function on LinkedIn I think is especially helpful is the "recommendations" section. Essentially, this area on LinkedIn allows people that you have worked with in the past to write you mini reference letters, detailing what they enjoyed about working with you, endorsing important skills that you have, and sharing any other information they think people should know about you. Something I did last year was a "recommendation exchange" with some of my friends and peers where we all wrote each other recommendations based on experiences we've had with each other, and it was really successful! This is also a great way to source people to write you a reference letter in the future (it also doesn't hurt to know what people think you do really well).

The image above is from this article on the importance of networking.

Something you hear a lot in the program is that networking is important in the job search. When I first heard this I was extremely intimidated — I had no idea how to network with someone in person, let alone online during a pandemic. However, I have found that networking is actually not as scary as you think! "Networking" can look like a lot of things. Most recently I have gotten into the habit of connecting with guest speakers from class on LinkedIn to thank them for their time and referencing something I really enjoyed about their presentation. Many speakers also share their personal emails — so use it to your advantage! Your professors are also great opportunities for networking, so don't be afraid to reach out to them on LinkedIn or through their e-mails to start conversations that expand beyond your courses. Professors are usually happy to connect and help out, and it doesn't hurt that they usually know a ton of people in the field!

Another tip I have is keeping a baseline CV and/or resume and cover letter prepped to go at all times. A successful job application is a specially tailored job application, but that doesn't mean you can't make it a little easier for yourself. I have a "template" resume that has a lot of my experience on it that I adjust as I apply to different jobs. Although you still have to put the work in to tailor the resume and cover letter, it's a lot easier if the resume is already formatted how you like it. I also find it helpful to look back at how past-Melissa described some of my jobs; sometimes I really like how I worded something, or sometimes the time passed has made me realize I'd like to change something. Either way, having baseline documents from which to work frees up a lot of your time to spend on advertising your skills, instead. If you need help writing a strong CV, resume, or cover letter, check out some of the great resources that the Faculty of Information offers.

This image by Toby Mac is important to keep in mind when job hunting!

Finally, my last tip for this article is to give yourself time and try to keep morale up —"if it doesn't open, it probably isn't your door." If a job doesn't work out, try to frame it as a positive experience; it just simply was not meant to be. Jobs that you don't get can be just as valuable as the ones that you do get, and rejections, although sometimes tough to handle, are a great way to reflect on your practices and experiences and figure out how to improve. Don't hesitate to ask for feedback from the employer you were not successful with, most times they are happy to share and they might have extremely valuable feedback! There's another saying that "good things fall apart so better things can come together" — maybe you have something great just around the corner, so keep your LinkedIn updated, your mind open, and your resume ready to go!